Callistemon viminalis plant named &#39;LJ23&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘LJ23’ is a distinctive variety of  Callistemon viminalis  which is characterized by the combination of a dense growth habit, large leaves, and green foliage as well as the stability and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

The present application claims priority from a provisional U.S.application No. 61/658,465 filed Jun. 12 2012, which is hereinincorporated by reference.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosedherein is Callistemon viminalis.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Callistemon viminalis disclosed herein has beengiven the variety denomination ‘LJ23’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofCallistemon viminalis, which has been given the variety denomination of‘LJ23’. Callistemon, a member of the myrtle family, is a relativelylarge genus of shrubs and small trees noted for their unique bottlebrushinflorescences which typically cover plants in spring and fall withcolors ranging from white to pink to dark red. Nurserymen and plantbreeders alike have for several decades made seedling selections fordifferent habits with forms and sizes now ranging from low growinggroundcovers to large trees. Callistemon is a popular landscape plant inits native Australia as well as in the western and southern UnitedStates.

Parentage: Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ was the result of a seedlingselection from an openly pollinated plant of Callistemon viminalis‘Little John’ and was discovered in Clarendon, Sydney, NSW. In 2006 seedwas collected from Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’ plants and manyseedlings were grown. Six candidate plants were selected from saidseedlings and further grown and evaluated for subsequent testing. In2009 a final selection took place and one plant was then selected as thefinal candidate due to the combination of a dense growth habit and largeleaves, green foliage. The plant was given the name ‘LJ23’.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘LJ23’ was grown to a mature age and was found togrow uniform; 4 successive cycles of vegetative propagation have provento be true to type. Propagation is accomplished using softwood cuttingsand roots well without the aid of rooting compound or hormone. Time todevelop roots is approximately 2 to 4 weeks and an average crop time isapproximately 12 months to produce a mature and marketable 400 mmcontainer, starting from a rooted cutting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘LJ23’ is a distinctive variety of Callistemon viminalis which ischaracterized by the combination of a dense growth habit and largeleaves, green foliage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The FIGURE shows three representative ‘LJ23’ plants.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of Callistemon viminalis known as ‘LJ23’ based upon observationsof 3 year old plants grown, in full sun in open landscape beds inClarendon, New South Wales, Australia. These plants were transplantedinto the landscape beds as 200 mm nursery pots grown from rootedcuttings, approximately 24 months prior to field observations. Plantswere maintained with granular slow release fertilizer and regularlywatered with overhead irrigation. No pest and disease measures weretaken. Observation data was recorded in May of 2011.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘LJ23’ has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2001 edition.

A botanical description of ‘LJ23’ and comparisons with other varietiesof Callistemon viminalis are provided below.

-   Technical description of the variety:-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant habit.—shrub; semi erect, rounded and dense.        -   Height.—approximately 60 to 100 cm at maturity.        -   Width.—approximately 60 to 80 cm at maturity.        -   Bloom period.—unknown.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 8 to 11.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Similar to the parent plants;            tolerates light shade, a wide range of soil conditions and            drought tolerant once established.        -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—In common            with the species, none of note.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching and habit.—Strong branching habit; branch angles            acute, branch attitude is erect to semi erect.        -   Stem strength.—Woody and strong.        -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Stem surface.—Corky, smooth. Immature stems are lightly            pubescent while mature stems are glabrous.        -   Internode length.—ranges from 10 to 15 mm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Shape.—Elliptical.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Apex.—Mucronate.        -   Base.—Cunneate.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surfaces).—indistinguishable from the            surrounding foliage.        -   Vein color (abaxial surfaces).—indistinguishable from the            surrounding foliage.        -   Margins.—Mature margin is entire; immature margin is            ciliate.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Surfaces (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: medium pubescence;            mature: glabrous.        -   Surfaces (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: medium pubescence;            mature: glabrous.        -   Mature leaf dimensions.—average length is 48.1 mm and the            average width is 9 mm with a length-to-width ratio of            5.34:1.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: is 146A; mature:            137A.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: is 146A; mature:            137A.        -   Petiole.—approximately 1 mm in length.        -   Stipules.—None observed.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescences of Callistemon are            distinguished by their brightly colored, exserted stamen            which gives the flower spike a bottlebrush appearance.            Spikes are indeterminate and leafy with an overall length of            approximately 6 to 10 cm and a width of 5 to 6 cm, comprised            of many small sessile florets with exserted stamens.        -   Florets.—Sessile. Predominant color of exserted stamens red            (RHS 45B). Observed length of 13 to 16 mm (average length is            14.2 mm) and very thin in diameter (less than 1 mm). Greater            than 40 in number. Sepals are immeasurably minute.            Inconspicuous corolla comprised of five cupped, unfused            petals; diameter across corolla is approximately 9.6 mm.            Color of the corolla approximates to yellow-green (RHS 154C            or 154D). Non fragrant.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—many; greater than 40.        -   Stamen color.—45B.        -   Stamen dimensions.—average of 14.2 mm and very thin.        -   Attachment.—Each stamen joins floral tube independently:            Free.        -   Anther dimensions.—Minute.        -   Anther color.—Yellow.        -   Pollen.—Present.        -   Pistil.—One.        -   Pistil dimensions.—About 14 mm in length and very thin.        -   Pistil color.—45B.        -   Ovary position.—Half-Inferior.-   Fruit and seed production: Dehescent flowers reveal round, slightly    oblong seed capsules grouped tightly along the stem. Sessile.    Dimensions are 3 to 5 mm in diameter and 4 to 5 mm in length. Color    at maturity approximates to brown 200A. Seeds are many and minute    with a color close to greyed orange 166B.-   Comparisons with other callistemon: When compared with seed parent    Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’ (unpatented), ‘LJ23’ has a    similar size as ‘Little John’ but a more dense growth habit and    larger, dark green leaves. The leaves of ‘LJ23’ are, on average,    48.1 mm long and 9 mm wide whereas the leaves of ‘Little John’ are    38.5 mm long and 8.4 mm wide, on average. ‘LJ23’ has dark green    mature foliage corresponding to 137A whereas the foliage of ‘Little    John’ is closest to 1378.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Callistemonviminalis plant named ‘LJ23’, substantially as described and illustratedherein.